Predator and prey have existed from the first creatures that were either of the two. By definition, the prey is the one eaten for sustenance by the predator. This relationship even persists into the dawn of the first animals that came before. But, from an evolutionary point, even predators have developed means to thwart camo and to ambush their prey.
Because of natural selection that weeds out those not able to survive, prey easily seen will be the next meal. As individuals of prey species had a reduction of their natural symmetry, with natural camouflage which keep them from being spotted by predators. Evolution caused changes in the general genetic characteristics that led to effective camouflage.
Most predators know who and what their prey is and has processing faculties that give the edge. But, the prey is not that dumb at all. It seems that early in the natural evolution of prey, they somehow figure out it was the pattern and symmetry that gave them away. Nature is essentially a passive and active arms race to produce the better teeth or camo that deters predators.
What allows prey to be detected is their marking when it is high contrast and symmetrical that makes them easy to see. Whenever the animal or insect shape is a mirror-image of the right or left side, with definite midline will make them very visible to carnivores. This was observed by researchers from the Bristol Camo lab, who are conducting this study.
In the lab, researchers test the hypothesis that evolution has created camouflage variation. Conditions outside and inside the lab were done to study the process associated with it. If the natural pattern analysis is what led to the natural alteration of symmetricity of an animal's markings.
Observations from Benito Wainwright (researcher) took note of experiments that made use of artificial predation both in and out of the lab had these results. Animals with regular and symmetrical marking, including the color, showed a failure to conceal the prey animal. Seeing the mid-line is the cue to carnivores the prey is in sight. Predators are smarter and learn to detect prey through experience.
One problem is that camouflaged prey animals have symmetric hues and marking, maybe because there is a limit on how much animals can evolve new camo patterns. Testing if it is possible to ignore limits of genetics, naturally overcome how visible prey is to predators. To confirm their hypothesis several activities were used to determine a conclusive fact.
a. Two experiments from perceptual psychology and "natural pattern analysis" as the basis for the findings. This will be a premise if the prey camo did change accordingly.
b. The wing symmetry of moths, butterflies, from museum specimens was measured from the middle line. Other sources like field guides and photo were used to gain evidence.
c. Other experiments displayed camouflage from the midline too. It reduced the symmetry altogether and becomes less obvious.
Researchers concluded that more data is needed, real animals should be used as subjects. It is not farfetched that the evolution of natural camouflage is real. Once more data from the wild is gained, there will be more understanding of how the evolution of camouflage comes about.
Read: Animals reduce the symmetry of their markings to improve camouflage
